Tech release:
LA Tech’s Woods Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Oct. 24, 2016) – Louisiana Tech senior safety Xavier Woods has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday. The award is presented to the nation’s best defensive back.
The Thorpe Award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City. Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Woods leads the Bulldog defense with four interceptions this season for 45 yards, while the senior has totaled 53 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Woods’ fourth interception of the season this past weekend at FIU was the 13th of his career, which ranks fifth all-time in Louisiana Tech history.
The 2016 Thorpe Award semifinalists represent eight conferences: BIG TEN (4), SEC (3), MW (2), PAC-12 (2), ACC (2), BIG-12 (1), IND (1), CUSA (1).
The three Thorpe Award finalists will be named on Monday, November 21st and the winner will be announced at the live Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 8th airing on ESPN. The winner of the 2016 Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 7, 2017.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast over 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Jaire Alexander, Louisville, So.
Budda Baker, Washington, Jr.
Travon Blanchard, Baylor, Jr.
Justin Evans, Texas A&M, Sr.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, So.
Malik Hooker, Ohio State, So.
Adoree’ Jackson, USC, Jr.
Desmond King, Iowa, Sr.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan, Sr.
Kai Nacua, BYU, Sr.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan, Jr.
Weston Steelhammer, Air Force, Sr.
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson, Sr.
Tre’Davious White, LSU, Sr.
Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech., Sr.
Andrew Wingard, Wyoming, Sr.
LA Tech’s Woods Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Oct. 24, 2016) – Louisiana Tech senior safety Xavier Woods has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday. The award is presented to the nation’s best defensive back.
The Thorpe Award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City. Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Woods leads the Bulldog defense with four interceptions this season for 45 yards, while the senior has totaled 53 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Woods’ fourth interception of the season this past weekend at FIU was the 13th of his career, which ranks fifth all-time in Louisiana Tech history.
The 2016 Thorpe Award semifinalists represent eight conferences: BIG TEN (4), SEC (3), MW (2), PAC-12 (2), ACC (2), BIG-12 (1), IND (1), CUSA (1).
The three Thorpe Award finalists will be named on Monday, November 21st and the winner will be announced at the live Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 8th airing on ESPN. The winner of the 2016 Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 7, 2017.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast over 722 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Jaire Alexander, Louisville, So.
Budda Baker, Washington, Jr.
Travon Blanchard, Baylor, Jr.
Justin Evans, Texas A&M, Sr.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, So.
Malik Hooker, Ohio State, So.
Adoree’ Jackson, USC, Jr.
Desmond King, Iowa, Sr.
Jourdan Lewis, Michigan, Sr.
Kai Nacua, BYU, Sr.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan, Jr.
Weston Steelhammer, Air Force, Sr.
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson, Sr.
Tre’Davious White, LSU, Sr.
Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech., Sr.
Andrew Wingard, Wyoming, Sr.
